“What does adoption mean to a child?”

Teenage Pregnancy Options and Support

Receive Help for Your Unplanned Teenage Pregnancy

You've heard it your whole life: Enjoy your teenage years because they will be gone before you know it. But, for some young women, these years are rudely interrupted by something they never thought would happen to them: a teenage unwanted pregnancy.

This can be an overwhelming situation, and it’s normal to feel panicked. You may even think, “I’m a teenager, and I think I’m pregnant — my life is over!” If this describes your situation, understand that being teenage and pregnant is more common than you might think, and there is plenty of help out there. Your life is not over if you are facing an unplanned teenage pregnancy; there are always options for pregnant teenagers like yourself.

One of the first things you should do is take a deep breath — and then reach out to people who can help with your unwanted teenage pregnancy. Start by contacting our counselors today. They can provide free, non-obligatory counseling for your pregnancy and give you all the information you need about your options for teen pregnancy. You are never obligated to choose adoption by contacting our agency; our team will simply help you come to the decision that is best for you, whatever it may be.

Your 3 Options for Teenage Pregnancy

After you discover your unplanned pregnancy, you will find out that you have three basic options for an unplanned teenage pregnancy: parenting, abortion and adoption. Whichever path you choose will always be up to you; even though you may not be a legal adult, you are the one who is in control of your own body and its future. No one can make this decision but you.

Before choosing between these options for a pregnant teenage girl like yourself, it’s important that you receive free, unplanned pregnancy counseling and get as much information as you can about each path. Here are the basics you should know about each option before moving forward:

1. Parenting

If you find yourself dealing with a teenage unwanted pregnancy, your first thought might be that you have to become a teenage parent. Raising a child is one of the most important and challenging jobs around. An unplanned pregnancy is particularly challenging for young women because they don’t always have the resources to care for the child.

Becoming a teenage mother will often mean that you have to give up some teenage experiences and take on more responsibility. You may have to live with your parents for financial reasons or even postpone goals such as college to take care of your child.

Know this: You do not have to become a teenage parent as a result of an unwanted teen pregnancy. Becoming a parent is a big responsibility, and it’s okay if you aren’t ready to take on that responsibility at your young age. Your parents cannot make you parent your child, and no one can make you choose this option unless you are sure it is right for you.

If you are considering raising your baby, ask yourself these questions:

Can I afford to raise a child?

Will the child’s father be involved?

Am I ready to give up or postpone my own dreams to give my child the best life possible?

Do I understand the high school and college experiences I would be sacrificing?

2. Abortion

Another one of your options for teen pregnancy is obtaining an abortion. Terminating your pregnancy can seem like the easiest option for a woman your age; it quickly seems to “get rid of” your problem and prevents you from having to carry a pregnancy to term.

However, abortion can be complicated if you are a minor. Certain states will require you to obtain parental permission for this procedure. Abortion can only be completed within a certain time span (again, based on state laws), and it can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars. While the majority of women who receive abortions do not regret their decision over time, there can be difficult short-term emotions to cope with.

Before you choose abortion for your unplanned teenage pregnancy, make sure to talk with your doctor or a local clinic like Planned Parenthood to find out more.

3. Adoption

If you are unsure about parenting as a teenager, or if terminating your pregnancy is not possible, know that adoption is always an option for a teenage pregnancy. In choosing adoption, you can give your baby the gift of a life with adoptive parents of your choosing — who will give him or her all the opportunities that you may be unable to as a teen mother.

While you will have to carry your unplanned teenage pregnancy to term when you choose adoption, your adoption professionals will support you every step of the way. You may receive financial assistance for your journey, and your adoption- and pregnancy-related expenses will always be free to you. Your specialist can even help you attend a temporary alternative school program during the length of your pregnancy, if you so desire.

When you choose adoption, you can give yourself and your baby a fresh start. You will be able to refocus on your personal goals and desires knowing that your child is living a healthy, happy life with different parents. You can even have a relationship with your child through open adoption!

What to Do If You are a Teenager and Pregnant: 3 Tips for Moving Forward

Now that you know a bit more about your options for teen pregnancy, you may be a little surer of what steps to take next. Or, you may still be confused about what to do if you’re a teenager and pregnant. That’s okay; you have a little bit of time to decide, depending on how far along you are in your pregnancy.

As you decide between your teenage unplanned pregnancy options, here are some ideas to support you and help you choose the best path moving forward:

1. Make Good Choices for Yourself and Your Baby

If you are pregnant as a teenager, you likely have never faced this amount of responsibility, so it is important to realize that your choices affect not just yourself but also your baby.

Whether those choices involve drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes, using drugs, eating unhealthy, not getting enough exercise or taking certain risks, it might be necessary for you to evaluate your current lifestyle and eliminate any activities or habits that don’t promote a healthy pregnancy, should you choose not to terminate your pregnancy.

2. Build a Support System to Help with Your Pregnancy

A good friend who listens to you and truly tries to understand what you are going through can be an essential component to a healthy unwanted teenage pregnancy.

What does this person look like? He or she will…

Be available when you need a favor or someone to talk to.

Not tempt you into making a bad choice.

Make you feel good about yourself and your situation.

The more people you know who exude these qualities, the better. They can be friends, parents, grandparents, siblings, fellow students, school counselors, teachers, pastors or anyone else who brings positivity to your life and your pregnancy.

3. Continue Your Education

Just because you are teenage and pregnant doesn’t mean your education is any less important. You actually have several options to continue your education while pregnant.

Continue at Your Own High School – In most situations, this is probably the easiest way to receive your high school diploma. Be sure to inform your high school teachers and school counselor of your pregnancy so they can tend to your needs and schedule.

Pursue Independent Study – Independent study classes allow students to complete classes from home and earn high school and junior college credits. Talk to your school counselor for any available independent studies.

Attend a Special School – Most communities offer daytime or nighttime high school classes for people who have alternative needs that require a flexible schedule.

Obtain Your G.E.D. – The G.E.D. is a test that measures your general educational accomplishments. Once you have passed the exam, you will have earned the equivalent to your high school diploma, which opens up many doors to continued education.

If you are pregnant as a teenager, having a clear head and objective information about all of your teen pregnancy options is crucial to making the best decision for you. Ultimately, you are the only one who can decide what to do if you’re a teenager and pregnant. Take responsibility for your actions; you are mature enough to make the best choice for your personal situation.

DisclaimerInformation available through these links is the sole property of the companies and organizations listed therein. America Adoptions, Inc. provides this information as a courtesy and is in no way responsible for its content or accuracy.

Why is American Adoptions the right adoption agency choice for many birth mothers?

American Adoptions is one of the largest licensed adoption agencies in the United States. Each year, we work with thousands of women who are facing an unplanned pregnancy and offer assistance to these women. Our large, caring staff is able to assist you seven days a week and provide you with one-on-one counseling about your pregnancy and available options.

You should choose an adoption agency where you feel completely comfortable with their services and staff. With American Adoptions, you will work with an Adoption Specialist who is on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Adoption Specialist will be your advocate and will provide support and guidance as you create an adoption plan that is right for you.

How will the family tell my child about me and the adoption when my child is older?

Each family has their own style of introducing adoption to the child. When you are matched with an adoptive family, you can ask them this question. If you would like your Adoption Specialist to discuss it for you, just let her know. He or she can share your wishes or provide good ideas from other adoptive families.

You will also be able to share what you want your baby to know about you. You can complete a keepsake booklet to share hobbies, stories, photos of you and your family and a letter to your baby. The adoptive family can provide this to your child as he or she grows older. Be as creative as you like! Some birth mothers have even knitted a special blanket as a gift to their baby or given a similar symbol of their love.

The father of your baby can fill out the birth father's keepsake booklet or write a letter too. You may have other family members who would also like to share photos or a letter to the baby. This is your opportunity to pass on your and your family's love and to share your personality, history and reasons for choosing adoption. The adoptive family will treasure whatever information you provide and will share it with the baby at an appropriate age. In most adoptive homes, the word adoption is in the child's vocabulary early on, and adoption is celebrated in their lives.

Teen Pregnancy - Information for Young Women

While not every woman who chooses adoption is a young mother, many are. Through adoption, many young women have found an ability to give their babies the best life possible, while finding the opportunity to realize their own dreams, as well. Call American Adoptions today at 1-800-ADOPTION.

Adoption Glossary

The Best for Her Babies - Why One Birth Mother Doesn't Regret Her Decision

Lindsey was already the mother to one baby with special needs when she found herself pregnant again. A single mom in the midst of a divorce, she knew adoption was the way to give both her daughters what they deserved.

American Adoptions, a private adoption agency founded on the belief that lives of children can be bettered through adoption, provides safe adoption services to children, birth parents and adoptive families by educating, supporting and coordinating necessary services for adoptions throughout the United States. For more information on American Adoptions, please call 1-800-ADOPTION (236-7846)